I cycled from the start to Houtbay and back this pm (like many others). My observations and thoughts after the ride: 1. The devestation in Houtbay is obvious and heartbreaking 2. The rubble in the road that I saw in Houtbay was after the turnoff to Suikerbossie 3. I had to dismount once on my way past Oudekraal on my way back due to a sudden gust of wind. My opinion: Despite more than adequate communication from the organizers - my Dad (as an example) was adamant to ride. He does not have the skill to deal with these conditions. My father is a reasonable example of the type of cyclist that should be protected from him- or herself. Thus the decision is more vindicated as far as weather is concerned in my opinion. BUT: The great tragedy of the shack fires in Houtbay could not have been a major consideration in the decision-making in this matter. It is a human tragedy of epic proportion - surely matched by other disasters elsewhere in our tragic country but no less or more important than any other instances of human suffering at any one moment. Shack fires in Alexandria is just as heart wrenching as any other but somehow it appears just not to be as serious as a fire in Houtbay over CTCT weekend in the opinion of the (Cape Town) cycling public. I will gladly donate to a social cause for the support of the poor people involved in this disaster (as we did for firefighters two years ago). It just does not imply any disrespect or apathy if I actually ride my bike in the vicinity of the disaster. Let us just admit that the REAL two issues were: 1. The wind - it was a true and valid issue that may or may not be a issue in the near future again. It is an integral part of this race and most people can understand that, and will individually decide whether they are prepared to take the risk iro the Cape Doc or not when entering again. 2. Politics. This was the stated initial interference with this race. The importance is massive. The OMTOM is imminent. Future events (not only sporting) are all relevant. By accepting or stating that it is reasonable /understandable to do so and by defending such disruptive behavior it implies such an individual is happy to sacrifice all future mass participation events in this region. The reality is that as long as any number of individuals (large or small) is prepared to disrupt the functions of normal society, such as sporting gatherings, no matter what the long-term outcomes are, this event is at peril. We all know that our elected leaders are to blame much more for money wasting and squandering of resources than a small band of cyclists hoping to cycle around the Peninsula. My Point: By painting this with the PR brush (everything but reality) we are fooling ourselves. Today it was mainly the wind - fair enough, but initially (and ultimately) the "leaders" held sport in the WC at ransom. Cape Town and the Western Cape will have to decide whether the CTCT, OMTOM and many other events are purely irritants or generators of employment and income of around R500 million per event. If the events are to continue it is obvious that some communication and education is needed. The Golden Goose comes to mind....
